Breaking Down the TOK Exhibition
What Is the TOK Exhibition?
The TOK (Theory of Knowledge) Exhibition is an individual project commonly completed in the first year of a student’s IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). For their TOK Exhibition, IBDP candidates are tasked with selecting one prompt out of 35 that they will connect to three different objects. TOK candidates will then write a 950-word commentary describing how these objects relate to their selected prompt, as well as the object’s connections to TOK themes and ideas. For each object, TOK students must explain its real-world context, its link to their selected prompt, and supply a justification for its inclusion. Through the lens of their chosen objects, a student’s essay should demonstrate how TOK concepts apply to everyday life.
How Is the TOK Exhibition Assessed?
The TOK Exhibition is an internally assessed component of the IB Diploma Programme. This means that a student’s teacher will mark their essay and award them a mark out of 10, constituting one-third of their final TOK grade. This grade is based on an assessment rubric evaluating a candidate’s ability to demonstrate four different skills:
Interlinking ideas
Justifying ideas
Using evidence
Identifying the real-world context
Additionally, the IB describes the three characteristics of an excellent essay as ‘precise’, ‘lucid’,and ‘convincing’. Teachers will subsequently assess candidate’s incorporation of these skills and characteristics within their essay, as well as evaluating how well candidates are able to demonstrate TOK concepts, justify the inclusion of their objects, link back to their chosen prompt, and utilise evidence and real-world contexts. Once the TOK Exhibitions have been internally assessed, the IB will then externally moderate a selection of these assessments to ensure fairness and consistency.
Tips for Picking a TOK Exhibition Prompt
The 35 Exhibition prompts cover a range of TOK ideas such as ‘truth’, ‘methodology’ and ‘ethics’. When selecting a TOK prompt, it is useful for students to consider what they have enjoyed about their IBDP courses so far, and consider a prompt that speaks to those issues. A prompt that genuinely interests them will allow for deeper engagement with this assignment. TOK candidates are also encouraged to avoid choosing prompts that lead to generic answers or yes/no responses. Instead, TOK students should consider more open-ended prompts that demand explanation and nuance. These prompts will allow for a diverse choice of objects as well as the potential to analytically explore different angles on knowledge, rather than a recount of facts. Overall, open-ended prompts that spark a leaner’s curiosity will allow for both a stronger and more insightful exploration of knowledge.
Selecting Effective Objects for the TOK Exhibition
Selecting effective objects is critical in the TOK Exhibition. Initially, a TOK object must be a concrete item with a specific time and place, as opposed to abstract ideas or genetic stock images. IBDP students must then ensure that their chosen objects have a justifiable link to their chosen prompt. In other words, these specific items should embody the student’s main arguments and demonstrate how knowledge functions in specific and tangible ways. Though it is not essential, students are strongly encouraged to select objects that they have a personal connection to, such as family heirlooms or photographs. This will not only make a student’s TOK Exhibition more original, but allow them to more easily show deeper and more authentic engagement.
How to Perform TOK Analysis
In order to achieve top marks in their TOK Exhibition, students must ensure their analysis has a focused and coherent structure, with strong justification and clear links between their selected objects and prompt. The easiest way to achieve this is to follow and replicate a clear structure for each object commentary: initially, identifying the object and describing its real-world context; then linking this object to a student’s chosen IA prompt; and finally, justifying its inclusion through the unique perspective it provides on knowledge. To achieve strong analysis, candidates should embed relevant TOK terms and concepts throughout their essay whilst also maintaining a focus on ‘knowledge’. By utilising a clear structure, incorporating TOK concepts, and displaying a critical evaluation of knowledge, students will be able to effectively perform TOK analysis within their Exhibition.
Common Student Mistakes in the TOK Exhibition
One mistake that students commonly make in their TOK Exhibition is focusing too much on the introduction of their object and its real-world context. This often includes a description of the object’s history or personal connection without transitioning to broader TOK analysis or outlining exactly what the object reveals about knowledge. Another mistake commonly repeated is making the same points across their three commentaries. This makes both the analysis and exhibition as a whole generalised and repetitive. To avoid this, TOK candidates should select diverse objects from different areas of knowledge. In doing so, they will be able to offer a new perspective with each item and demonstrate both depth and variety in their analysis.
How a BartyED TOK Tutor Can Help with Your Exhibition
At BartyED, our TOK tutors are committed to providing comprehensive support from the beginning of a student’s TOK learning process to its eventual conclusion. This can include brainstorming ideas and helping students to select an appropriate prompt suitable objects. BartyED tutors will also be able to guide students with structuring their commentary, ensuring they incorporate strong links between their objects and prompt, as well as high-level analysis that meets the IB criteria.
Many students find their TOK Exhibition to be daunting and overwhelming. BartyED’s team of expert tutors are committed to increasing a student’s confidence and motivation with their assignments. If you think that you or your child could benefit from TOK support, contact us today by phone (+852 2882 1017), email (enquiries@bartyed.com), or through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
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TOK, or Theory of Knowledge, is a core component of the IB Diploma Programme. This means that all IB students must study TOK and passing it is crucial to achieving the IB diploma.
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IBDP students must complete two pieces of coursework. The first is the TOK Exhibition; the second is the TOK essay.
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The TOK Exhibition is a 950 word analysis of three objects, chosen by the student, based on one of 35 prompts.
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Students often struggle with the TOK Exhibition. It is the first piece of substantive TOK work students complete and requires the inclusion of complex TOK concepts expressed via external objects.